endangered languages - LingoDigest

The First-Contact Linguist: The Ethical Tightrope of Studying a Previously Uncontacted People’s Language

6 min read

What are the ethical responsibilities of a linguist who is the first outsider to document a language from a previously uncontacted people? This article explores the high-stakes world of first-contact linguistics, from the “Prime Directive” debate over non-interference to the modern protocols that prioritize community empowerment over data extraction. We’ll delve into the moral dilemmas of recording a language while potentially altering the culture that speaks it forever.

Syntax Linguistics Asian Languages Endangered Languages

The Ainu Language: A Linguistic Island in Japan

6 min read

On the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, a language isolate with no known relatives is fighting for survival. The Ainu language, with its unique polysynthetic grammar and rich oral traditions of epic poems, tells the story of Japan’s indigenous Ainu people. This post explores its fascinating structure, its history of suppression, and the recent efforts to bring it back from the brink.

Culture Linguistics Endangered Languages

The Language Catchers: Racing Against Time to Document Endangered Tongues

5 min read

Every two weeks, a language dies, taking with it a unique way of seeing the world. Meet the “Language Catchers,” modern-day linguists racing against time with digital tools and deep community partnerships to document and revitalize the world’s endangered tongues. Their work is a high-stakes mission to save not just words, but entire worlds of human knowledge and culture.